Structure and method of forming the same



May 29, 9 5- w. E. LANDOW STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Filed Aug. 24, "1942 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

mlhzr'rzfllzmaow May 29, 1945..

w. 2. LANDOW STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Filed Aug. 24, 1942 7 6 shegts-sheet 2 INVENTOR. BY mljzzzmfljmaoza y 1945- w. E. LANDOW 2,377,160

STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Filed Aug. 24, 1942 e Sheets-Shet 3 May 29, 1945.

w. E. LANDOW 2,377,160 STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Filed Aug. 24, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 10 I I /ZZ- INVENTOR. Wdlzamfllzmaoza y 1945. w. E. LANDOW 2,377,160

STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Filed Aug. "24, 1942 e Sheets-Sheet 5 WLZZLkZ/n 'jlaizdaw,

iQ Aw m W May 29, 19 5-- w. E. LANDOW STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 24, 1942 INVENTOR. WZZZZczmZZarwZa Patented May 29, 1945 STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME William E. Landow, ChicagoJll.

Application August 24, 1942, Serial No. 455,944

22 Claims;

adesire to eliminate present costly procedures followed in the construction of concrete foundations, such as walls, footings, abutments and the like, under water. As is well known in the art, such structureshave in the past required cofier dams to provide a dry'footing upon which the same could be erected. Such coffer dam constructions are exceedingly costly and ofttimes hazardous because of the cdnditions under which the same are built, and in many instances the cost of erecting these retaining structures for the stream, lake or other body of water constitutes the major cost of the entire operation for the particular construction job.

Accordingly, one of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a st uctural assembly and a method of erecting these concrete structures by such structural assemblies that the construction job can be done at a greatly reduced cost, more efficiently from the standpoint of time, and with considerable reduction in the necessary material for the same.

The invention in one of its broad aspects contemplates the provision of a structural form assembly adapted to be positioned in respect to any suitable foundation, and which embodies in its structure a suitable waterproof container with proper provision for the introduction of concrete or like material into said container which, upon receiving said concrete, takes the shape of the said form assembly.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a structural assembly of the type immediately hereinabove designated, which can be fabricated at relatively low cost, easily assembled and placed in position, and which is provided with means to retain its shape during the construction period.

The present invention further involves the provision of a structural assembly formed of multipart construction if desired, admirably lending itself to fabrication as well as erection in the field, and further embodying means whereby the same can be used repeatedly to provide successive units of the concrete structure.

Another object within the purview of the present invention is to provide a structural assembly of the type herein contemplated, including novel means whereby successive units of concrete foundation may be readily formed so that separate contacting and interlocking units of concrete structure can be formed to safeguard the structure against cracks and deterioration which would otherwise occur due to shifting or changes in the foundation on which the same may be placed.

A further desideratum of the invention is to provide a concrete structure of a plurality of units which may be interlocked through the medium of expansion joints readily incorporated in the structural form assembly to provide against buckling, cracking or deterioration of the structure due to temperature changes, or shiftin or changes in the foundation upon which the same may be constructed.

As a further feature of construction instrumental in, assuring proper and adequate structural characteristics, the said structural form assembly may take any shape desired, but preferably the units are circular or ellipsoidal in cross-section, tapering upward from the foundation in accordance with usual design characteristics, and to permit shifting of the foundation without the usual vertical cracks, yet provide for all structural requirements under the conditions for which the said structure is designed.

The invention in another of it aspects contemplates the proyision of a structural form assembly for successively forming the units of the concrete structure and which embodies means for using a shield wherever necessary, whereby the foundation can be conditioned by removal of foreign material therefrom before the said structural form assemblies are placed in position thereon, further assuring that the concrete in its plastic form will find a solid foundation, and thus providing for the proper erection of the concrete structure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel waterproof container-preferably of fabric or some other equivalent material, so constructed as to provide for its ready adjustability to the contour of the structural form assembly, thus eliminating the possibility of having the same damaged during the erection of such a form for reception of plastic concrete or like material.

The present invention contemplates a novel method of providing the structural form assemblies hereinabove set forth and their erection in the field to provide the concrete structures herein contemplated.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of and means for forming concrete foundations where said foundations are under water, the said footings providing a solid bottom or bed on which the concrete structures hereinbefore mentioned may be erected. The invention in this respect contemplates the provision of a structural form assembly which may include reinforcing steel forming a support for a waterproof container as hereinabove identified, and which structural form as sembly may be lowered into place and concrete introduced into the said container without fear of leaching, which would otherwise occur were concrete to be poured without the provision of the said structural form assembly.

In the provision of such means and the method of using the same to provide such a concrete structure, anchoring means are included to serve as guides for each successive unit and also as a means of holding the said structural form assembly in place during the pouring of the plastic mass of concrete. The structure is such as to facilitate the repetitive use of the structure form assembly, thus assuring a reduction in the total cost of the construction job.

:Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended by the invention, as will later appear and as .are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 is a view in cross-section of a device made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse View in cross-section of the device shown in Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan View of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2-;

Figure 4 is a View in cross-section taken in the plane represented by line 4-4 of Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in cross-section of a form assembly conforming substantially to that shown in Figures 1 to 4, more particularly showing the provision for the erection of a shield in the event that such becomes necessary;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in section of a part of the structure shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary View in elevation of the structure shown in Figure 5 of the drawings;

Figure -8 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a device adapted for use in a form of multi-part construction, having means for expanding adjacent parts of said form;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing the device of Figure 8 in its expanded position;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the device shown in Figure 8 of the drawings and taken in the plane represented by line Ill-l0 therein;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the waterproof container for the device shown in Figures 1 to 4 and showing more'in particular the folded or jointed construction preventing injury thereto during use; I

Figure 12 is a fragmentary View in perspective of the said waterproof container showing the joint in the extended or expanded condition which it may assume under pressure;

Figure 13 is a top plan View of a slightly modified structural form assembly made in accordance with the present invention and particularly adapted for the formation of concrete footings;

Figure 14 is a view in cross-section taken in the plane represented by line l4l4 of Figure 13' of the drawings; and

Figure 15 is a transverse sectional view of the device shown in Figures 13 and 14.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, a device selected to illustrate the present invention and incorporating novel features thereof is shown in Figures 1 to 12 as embodying a structural form assembly, generally referred to as 2,

which is adapted to be lowered into position upon a suitable foundation 4 disposed at the lower levels of a stream or body of water, and which structural form assembly embodies in its structure 'novel means for introducing concrete as a plastic mass to prevent leaching thereof by the said body of water.

More in detail, the said structural form assembly involves the use of an outer form shell 6 which may be of multi-part construction including a nose or forwardly disposed part 8, the main parts 10 and I2, and the intermediate connecting parts [4 and 16. These parts may be interconnected by means of slip joints more particularly shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, of the nature of joints often found in sheet piling, and being constituted by interconnecting elongated tongue and groove formations generally referred to as l8.

The said structural form assembly further includes a spider-like frame 20 having a series of horizontally disposed articulated members 22 interconnected by a central structural formation 24 constituted by a plurality of conduits having their upper ends disposed above the form shell and their lower ends curved or bent as clearly shown in the figures, to provide discharge openings such as 26 and the like, The articulated members 22 are each formed at one end with a pivoted spreader element 28 and at the other end with the pivoted spreader'elements 32 and 34 diverging in respect to one another, the said spreader element 28 being pivotally connected to conduit 30 and the said spreader elements 32 and 34 being pivotally connected to the conduits 36 and 38, respectively. When the frame is properly positioned within the form shell, the lower ends of the conduits 30, 36 and 38 have their curved ends, such as 40, disposed adjacent the lower part of the said form shell and which curved ends are provided with discharge openings 2. short distance above the foundation 4.

The frame 20 is further formed with a plurality of pairs of hinged spreaders such as 42, 44 and 46, hingedly connected to the lowermost articulated member 22 and of such a construction that when the frame is in its folded condition the pairs of hinged spreaders 4'2, 44 and 46 are in overlapped relation and the said pair of hinged Spreaders 42 ar in overlapping relation to the upturned ends of conduits 36 and 38 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully explained.

The conduits 24 as well as conduits 30, 36 and 38 provide means whereby concrete as a plastic mass may be introduced into the structural form assembly at various levels, and as shown in the drawings the conduits 30, 36 and '38 are connected to the discharge end of pumps 48, 50 and 52 .respectively, which are adapted to deliver said concrete .to the said conduits. The connection between these pumps and the respective conduits as above identified may be changed to deliver the concrete to the. conduits 24, all in accordance with. the procedureto be. hereinafter more fully explainedi I I In order to deliver concrete into the structural form assembly without impairing its qualities and structural characteristics upon setting, the invention herein disclosed contemplates the use of a. waterproof container 54 preferably of fabric or some otherequivalent material, which container is disclosed more clearly in Figure 2 of the drawings as it would appear after being positioned within the structuralform assembly, This container is of a construction to substantially fit the inside contour of the structural form assembly andis positioned therein by encasing the spiderlike frame 20 which is inserted through the upper open end of the form shell. As clearly shown, the container encloses and encompasses the conduits 24, 30, and 38 so that the same will receive the concrete in its plastic form as the same is discharged therefrom.

In placing the assembly in the position as shown in the drawings, the frame in folded condition and with the container encasing th same is lowered into the form shell, after which the pairs of spreader elements 42, 44 and 46 are moved into their extended positions by means of cords or. cables such as 56 and 58 having connections at one end to the hinged spreaders as at 60 and having means such as hooks 62 or the like at their I such as 68 and I0, whereby through the medium of a hand wheel I2 and geared mechanism generally'referred to as I4 the said telescopically arranged elements forming the expansible frame of said spreading device may be moved inwardly or outwardly to form the desired shape for the upper part of the form shell. In this regard it should be noted that as usual in structures of the type herein shown, which constitutes a proper structural form for a dam or the like, the upper section of the same is smaller than the base or that part which rests upon the foundation 4. Hand wheel I2 is manipulated until such time as the spreading device 64 positions the form shell to the dimensions desired. As can be well appreciated, the gear mechanism I4 is so formed that by a single-operating movement of the hand wheel I2 the elements 66 and I are moved with respect to one another to preserve the elongated elliptical cross-sectional shape of the form shell.

I Operatively associated with the spreading device 64- are two screw elements I6 and I8 having be manipulated to spread the articulated memsame assumes the shape of said form assembly displacing the water within-the same. This pouring operation is continued until the concrete level is slightly above the discharge openings 26 of the conduits 24, after which the connections between these conduits and the concrete pumps. are connected successively to the conduits 24 to gradually, fill the container and to encompass and enclose the frame structure 20. After this pouring operation is completed the entire assembly with the plastic concrete disposed therein is allowed to remain in that. condition a sufficient length of time for the concrete to set. The

bers '22 into their final position with respect to the spreading device 64 and the form shell of the assembly. This is effected by properly anchoring the spreading device 64 to the assembly through the medium of lugs such as 84 or the like.

After the structural form assembly has been erected as hereinbefore stated and the various elements thereof positioned as indicated, the concrete can then be introduced into the container 54.. During the initial stages of this pouring operation the concrete is introduced into the conduits30; '36 and 38 in properly measured quantitiesto gradually spread the container at the bottom of the form assembly, at which time the spreading device 64is then removed from the structural frame assembly, the spreading devices as shown in Figures8, 9 and 10 operated as hereinafter more fullyexplained, and the form sections I4 and I6 then lifted, after which it is a rather simpleoperation to lift the main forms I0 and I2. I I

As will be clearlynoted, the form 8 is provided with the connecting elements 86 and 88 similar to the connections l8, which provide means whereby the forms I0 and I2 of .the next successive units of the structure may be connected,.all as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Thus the noseshaped form 6 is allowed to remain in its original position after the concrete is set and provides an interconnecting element between successive adjacent units of the structure. In this way the entire concrete structureis formed as a plurality or series of units which prevents cracking or deterioration of the structure due to, shifting or movement of the foundation on which the same rests, If desired, elasticor expanding material, as a matter of fact expanding joints of' any type of construction, may be used in connection with the form shell 8 to provide for expanding joints.

part construction incorporating the structure shown in FiguresB, 9 and 10, which permits of slight expansionbetween the parts facilitating removal of the said forms after the concrete has set. This expansion or spreader mechanism involves the use of opposed plates 90 and 92 between which are mounted a plurality of levers 94 through the medium of the eccentric bolt connections 96 which have their extremities mounted in members 98 mounted adjacent the marginal edges of parts I00 and I02 forming the said form shells I0 and I2. The other extremity of the eccentric connection is connected to plates I04 held in operating association by head elements I06 through the medium of the cotter pins I08. The said levers have their ends interconnected by the operating members H0 and H2 which may be provided with connecting means at the upper ends thereof for attachment to some operating device which, upon manipulation, will operate the levers to rotate the eccentrics thus moving the marginal edges of the parts I00 and I02, The said levers 94 adjacent the lower part of the device are somewhat shorter than those forming the major part of the mechanism, the same being connected by the operating elements I I4 and I I6 to the longer levers immediately thereabove, so

would otherwise occur if the operating levers extended below the form shell.

As will be clearly appreciated, the said mechanism is readil locked in position by the releasable operating levers I I8 and I20 which normally hold the parts I and I02 in closed position dur ing the pouring of the concrete. Movement of the operating levers H0 and H2, as shown in Figure 9, expands or spreads the parts I00 and I02 a sufficient distance to make it possible to readily remove the form from the concrete structure whereby the same may be repeatedly used in the construction job.

As those conversant in this art are well aware, in the preparation of a foundation for a structure of the nature herein identified extremely complexing problems are often encountered in respect to the proper preparation of a suitable foundation for the concrete structure. times even after the foundation has been prepared at the bed of the river, silt and other material accumulates on the foundation which when mixed with the water forms a sludge detrimental to the foundation and if permitted to remain would cause slipping and movement of the structure. The'present invention accordingly contemplatesa structure which facilitates the use of a shield acting as a, barrier and permitting the removal of such accumulations from the bed of the stream or body of water to facilitate the erection of the structural form assembly and the preparation of a suitable'foundation.

For example, Figures 5, 6 and '7jdisclose form elements I0 and I2 provided with connections I22 and I24 to which a shield I26 may be removably connected in the same manner as other connections hereinbefore referred to. This shield is relatively shorter in height than the forms I0 and I2 and is provided with pivotal connections such as I28 for said connections I22 and I24 whereby the same may be moved into position from water level. In the event silt or other foreign material is present on the foundation resulting in a sludge condition, the shield I20 is lowered into position after which the sludge and silt is removed by hydraulic pump and displaced by water, after which the structural form assembly is lowered into position and the procedure as hereinbefore described followed to form the series of units for the concrete structures.

It further often times happens that such concrete structures as have been referred to hereinbefore are erected in places where it is either impossible or uneconomical to provide a sufficiently firm foundation by ordinary excavating or dredging operations. Under such circumstances it becomes necessary to condition the bed 4 of the stream by casting a concrete footing which provides a suitable foundation and base for the dam, wall or other structure being provided. Figures 13, 14 and 15 disclose a structural form assembly including a form I 30 of boxlike construction of the size and shape of the footing desired, and which is provided with a plurality of reinforcing members such as I32. This form assembly is of prefabricated construction, brought onto the particular construction job, and into which is positioned an assembly of reinforcing steel I 34, as shown in Figures .14 and 15. This assembly I3 may be fixed to conduits such as I36 and I38 having a special removable fitting referred to as I40, connecting the same to the fabricated form assembly. As in the embodiment hereinabove described, a waterproof Often fabric container I42 is providedenclosing and encasing the reinforcing structural steel I34, and having a suitable water-tight connectionto the fittings I40, thus providing for the introduction of concrete in plastic form into the structural form assembly. The fittings I40 are of special construction and have connected thereto conduits such as I44 whereby concrete is delivered thereto. Furthermore the said fittings I40 are such that the same may be readily removed to disconnect the discharge conduits I36 and 138 after concrete is poured into the container I42 to complete the footing, thus salvaging considerable expensive equipment for further use as the footing proceeds across the stream or body of water. I

In loweringthe structural form assembly into position, each unit is provided with a sleeve or openingfor receiving the cable I46 anchored to avspecial fitting I48 which extends above the top surface of the preceding unit of the foundation adjacent its forward end. Through the medium of such guide means the structural form assembly may be lowered into position, after which the lock. nut I50 of the fitting I48 may be tightened to position the said form assembly. Weights such as IE2 may be further provided to make certain that the form assembly stays in position during the pouring of the concrete. As clearly shown in Figure 14, the unit into which the concrete is being poured is likewise formed with a special anchoring fitting I48 at its forward end which is allowed to remain during the setting of the concrete to serve as a guide for the next succeeding unit of the foundation. After the concrete has set the lock nut I50 is loosened, the weights I52 removed, and the form raised to water level for use in forming the next successive footing.

While I have herein described illustrative embodiments of the invention and processes for making the same, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may comprehend other details, features and process steps without departing from the spirit of the'invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of forming concrete structures having a sub-stantiallly greater cross-sectional area at the base than at the top, comprising the steps of positioning a structural form of the desired size and shape upon a foundation below water level, within the chambered confines of which is introduced through the upper end of smaller cross-sectional area an assembly including an adjustable frame enclosed by a waterproof container properly shaped and dimensioned to conform substantially to the chamber provided by said form, adjusting said frame to dispose said container in position with respect to said form, and introducing concrete or like material into saidcontainer to produce a concrete structure of substantially the size and shape of said form.

2. A method of forming concrete structures having a substantially greater cross-sectional area at the base than at the top, comprising the steps of positioning a structural form of the desired size and shape upon a foundation below water level, within the chambered confines of which is introduced through the upper end of smal er cross sectional area an assembly including a collapsible frame enclosed by a supported waterproof container collapsed by the pressure of said water but properly shaped and dimensioned to conform substantially to the confines of said form when filled with concrete or like material.

expanding said frame to dispose said container in position with respect to said form, and introducing concrete or like material into said container to produce a concrete structure on said foundation of substantially the size and shape of the same.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein said concrete or like material is introduced into said waterproof container progressively upwardly from said foundation at different elevations above the same through media which are retained within the body of concrete or like material to provide reinforcement therefor. v

5. A method of forming concrete structures, comprising the steps of positioning a structural form of the desired size and shape upon a foundation below water level, introducing into said form a spider-like frame embraced by a waterproof container collapsed by the pressure of said water but properly shaped and dimensioned to conform substantially to the confines of said form when filled with concrete" orlike material, adjusting said frame to position said container to substantially conform to the shape of said form, and introducing concrete or like material into said container to produce a concrete structure on said foundation of substantially the size and shape of said form.

6. A method of forming concrete structures,

comprising the steps of positioning a structural form of the desired size and shape upon a founda tion below water level, introducing into said form an expansible spider-like frame embraced by a waterproof container collapsed by thepressure of said water but properly shaped and dimensioned to conform substantially to the confines of said form when filled with concrete or like material,

expanding said frame to properly position the same and said container with respect to said form, and introducing concrete or like material into said container toproduce a concrete structure on said foundation of substantially the size and shape of said form.

7. A method of forming concrete structures, comprising the steps of positioning a structural form of the desired size and shape upon a foundation below water level, introducing into said form an expansible spider-like frame embraced by a waterproof container collapsed by the pressure of said water but properly shaped and dimen-,

sioned to conform substantially to the confines of said form when filled with concrete or like material, expanding said frame to properly position the same and said container with respect to said form, and introducing concrete or like material into said waterproof container progressively upwardly from said foundation at different elevations above the same through media which together with said frame are retained within the body of said concrete or like material to provide reinforcement therefor.

8. A method of forming concrete structures comprising a series of associated units, com rising the steps of positioning a structural form for one of said units of the desired size and shape upon a foundation below water level, introducing into said form a spider-like frame embraced by a waterproof container collapsed by the pressure of said water but properly shaped and dimensioned to conform substantially to the confines of said form when filled with concrete or like material,

adjustingsaidframe to position said container to substantially conform to the shape of said form, introducing concrete or like material into said container to produce a concrete structural unit on said foundation of substantially the size and shape of said form, removing said form after said concrete has set, and then repeating the hereinbefore designated process progressively forward to provide said series of associated units.

9. A method of forming concrete structures comprising a series of associated units, comprising the steps of positioning a structural form for one of said units of the desired size and shape upon a foundation below water level, introducing into said form a spider-like frame embraced by a waterproof container collapsed by the pressure of said water but properly shaped and dimensioned to conform substantially to the confines of said form when filled with concrete or like material, adjusting said frame to-position said container to substantially conform to the shape of said form, introducing concrete or like material into said container to produce a ooncretestructural unit on said foundation of substantially the size and shape of said form, removing a portion of said form after said concrete has set, and repeating the hereinbefore designated process progressively forwardby positioning the said forms to embrace the unremoved portion of the form of successively finished units whereby the series of associated units are interconnected thereby.

10. A method of forming subaqueous foundations, comprising the steps of assembling above water level a form of the desired size and shape within the confines of which are disposed reinforcing members embraced by a waterproof container of a size and shape conforming substantially to the said form and having means for introduction of concrete or like material into the same,lowering said assembly intoposition upon a foundation below water level, and introducing concrete or like material through said means into said container to produce a reinforced structure conforming substantially to the size and shape of said form. r

11. A method of forming 'subaqueous foundations, comprising the steps of assembling above water level a form of the desired size and shape within the confines of which are disposed reinforcing members embraced by a waterproof container of a size and shape conforming substantially to the said form and having means for introduction of concrete or like material into the same, incorporating anchoring means in said assembly, lowering said assembly into position upon a foundation below water level, introducing concrete or like material through said means into said container to produce a reinforced structure conforming substantially to the size and shape of said form, removing said form when said concrete has set, and repeating the hereinbefore described process by anchoring successively arranged forms to the anchorin means of the immediately preceding finished concrete unit to provide the completed structure.

12. A form assembly for concrete structures and the like, comprising a form shell, an expansible spider-like frame adapted to be introduced into an .open end of said shell, a waterproof container encasing said frame and introduced into said shell with said frame, means for spreading said frame into position with respect to said shell,

and means for introducing concrete into said container.

' 13. A form assembly for concrete structures and theglike, comprising a form shell, an expansible spider-like frame adapted to be introduced into an open end of said shell, a waterproof container encasing said frame, means for spreading said frame into position with respect to said shell, and means for introducing concrete into said con tainer, said last-named means being constituted by conduits forming a, part of said frame.

14; A form assembly for concrete structures and the like, comprising a form shell, an expansible spider-like frame adapted to be introduced into an open end of said shell, a waterproof container encasing said frame, means for spreading said frame into position with respect to said shell, and means for introducing concrete into said container, said last-named means being constituted by conduits having discharge openings at different levels on said frame.

15. A form assembly for concrete structures and the like, comprising a form shell, an expansible spider-like frame adapted to be introduced into an open end of said shell, a spreading device for said form shell, and means interconnecting said spreading device and said frame operable to spread said frame into position with respect to said form shell.

16. A form assembly for concrete structures and the like, comprising a form shell, an expansible spider-like frame adapted to be introduced into an open end of said shell, a Waterproof container encasing said frame, a spreading device for said form shell, means interconnecting said spreading device and said frame operable tospread said frame into position with respect to said form shell, and means for introducing concrete into said container.

17. A form assembly for concrete structures and the like, comprising a form shell, an expansible spider-like frame adapted to be introduced into an open end of said shell, a waterproof container encasing said frame, a spreading device for said form shell, means interconnecting said spreading device and said frame operable to spread said frame into position with respect to said form shell, and means for introducing concrete into said container, said last-named means being constituted by conduits forming a part of said frame and having upturned discharge openings at different levels with respect to said form shell.

18. A form assembly comprising a form shell of multi-part construction wherein means is provided at the joint between two of said parts to provide for relative expansive movement therebetween, said means comprising an eccentric con nection between said parts having means for manipulation thereof.

19. A form assembly comprising a form shell of multi-part construction wherein parts thereof are interconnected by interlockin slip joints of elongated tongue and groove construction, and means on certain of said parts to provide a connection for a shield thereto.

20. A form assembly for concrete structures, comprising retaining structure forming a compartment, a reinforcing steel assembly disposed within said retaining structure, a waterproof container encasing said reinforcing steel, fittings carriedby said retaining structure having an entrance into said container, and means connected to said fittings for introduction of concrete or like material into said container.

21. A form assembly for concrete structures, comprising retaining structure forming a compartment, a reinforcing steel assembly disposed within said retaining structure, a waterproof container encasing said reinforcing steel, fittings carried by said retaining structure having an entrance into said container, anchoring means carried by said retaining structure, and means connected to said fittings for introduction of concrete or like material into said container.

22. A method of forming concrete structures comprising a series of associated units, comprising the steps of positioning a structural form for one of said units of the desired size and shape upon a foundation below water level, introducing into said form a spider-like frame embraced by a waterproof container collapsed by the pressure of said water but properly shaped and dimensioned to conform substantially to the confines of said form when filled with concrete or like material, adjusting said frame to, position said container to substantially conform to the shape of said form, introducing concrete or like material into said container to produce a concrete structural unit on said foundation of substantially the size and shape of said form, connecting a shield to said form, removing foreign material from within said shield, and repeating the hereinbefore designated process by positioning a form within said shield to provide another unit for said structure.

WILLIAM E. LANDOW. 

